Another Jib pigtail question

What if I was to put this setup on a single pigtail off the jib clew. or is it best go with single blocks and 2 pigtails

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Bruce
78 Hobie 18
#1159

Bruce,

Please read the last "Pigtail" thread and my statement about using blocks w/ "plastic" housings .... for your jib blocks.

I believe that a "twin" pigtail set-up will work best .... my conclusion is based on, the main reason for using "pigtails" is to help the jib to "pass through" easier past the mast while tacking or jybing .... reducing the jib sheet length is just a secondary benefit ... also the less wieght/metal you have "flogging" around the better, especially as one large mass .... (I don't like the thought of that metal ring & 2 blocks smacking me up along side the head ... 1/8" spectra is soft, a Harken Micro Block is small and partially covered w/ tape ... and w/ a "split pigtail" you would tend to be smacked w/ each side seperately and not all at once ...)

That's why, while that pic Matt posted of that really "nifty" spliced pigtail is nice .... I personally wouldn't use one like that .... those little knots/balls are very likely to get hung-up on the diamond wires or mast rotator on a H18 ....

Please read my post carefully .... especially about how I tie the blocks on and "tape" the bowline knots/blocks .... w/ a novice crew, they tend to release the jib too early ... it allows the jib to "flog" ... and the jib sheet lines get hung-up on the mast ... {"clear the jib .... you need to clear the jib ... SEEE ... it's hung-up on the mast ... there (w/ pointed finger) ... please clear it!!!"}

The idle tack is for the jib to be cleated .... the boat passes "head to wind" .... the crew grabs the "lazy sheet" at the jib Traveler block in one hand and crawls quickly across the tramp/boat (this takes in approx 6-8' of slack sheetline .... the jib is now starting to "backwind" .... upon reaching the (now) windward jib traveler, they release the cleated jibsheet w/ their "free" hand, the jib will "lay" against the mast and be pushed through by the wind pressure ... while the crew is quickly "taking-in" the jibsheet that they had grasped/clutched in their hand .... taking in the jibsheet slack and re-cleating the jibsheet on the new tack ....

Note at this point the skipper should be concentrating on coming to the "proper course" ... accelerating the boat ... and can sheet the main down the last few inches .... the crew checks the sail tuning (telltales) and other adjustments .... if "trapping" is required I like for the helm/skipper to hook up and go out to concentrate on the waves/wind ahead ... the crew checks in all other directions and updateds the helm/skipper on observations ... (who's where ... possible crosses etc etc ....) .... crew checks everything again .... and again .... and again ....

Now this a little more then you asked for but the "split pigtail" helps w/ pulling the clew of the jib past the mast as the crew is taking up the jibsheet "slack" ... and there is less slack jibsheet line to take in .... it's subtle but it a big factor ....

Now add proper helm control ... roll tacking .... and a good team can tack a H18 in under 5secs, I would quess .... (just turn your head away ... and I'll be gone ......)

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HarryMurphey
H-18 mag/ #9458
Fleet 54 Div 11